Japan Mandates Third-Party Inspections Following String of Portable Charger Fires

The Japanese government has decided to significantly tighten safety regulations following a series of fires involving portable power banks.

The Yomiuri Shimbun reported today that the Japanese government has decided to mandate inspections of portable chargers by independent, third-party expert organizations.

This shifts away from the previous reliance on self-inspections by manufacturers, aiming to block the distribution of low-quality, defective products in advance.

A third-party inspection system is a measure not found in Europe or the United States.

The Japanese government plans to begin discussions in a related subcommittee later this month, revise the regulations within this year, and fully implement the rules after a one-year grace period.

According to this schedule, the mandatory power bank inspection system is expected to take effect around early 2028.

Recently, accidents involving portable chargers, such as fires and smoke emissions, have been surging in Japan.

Incidents increased about fourfold from 51 cases in 2021 to 192 cases in 2025.

Recently, a portable charger caught fire inside an Osaka subway train, causing train operations to be suspended.

Most products distributed in Japan are made in China, with many cases of ignition caused by high temperatures or strong impacts.

Issues in the manufacturing process, such as defective electrodes, have been pointed out as causes.

(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.